The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on a transnational network that includes entities and individuals from the Horn of Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Cyprus for facilitating the financing of the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.

According to the statement, the transnational network facilitated the financing of the terrorist organization through money laundering. In addition, it is underlined that the threat posed by Al-Shabaab is not limited geographically to Somalia, as it maintains economic ties with Al-Qaeda as well.

Al-Shabaab’s revenues are disbursed to other al-Qaeda-linked groups around the world and help finance al-Qaeda’s global ambitions to commit terrorist acts and undermine good governance, it said.

These sanctions reflect the United States’ counterterrorism priorities in Somalia and support the dynamic relationship that has been established with the Somali government to address the terrorist threats that endanger the people of Somalia. Finally, it is noted that the United States remains focused on cutting off al-Qaeda’s access to the international financial system.

Sanctions on entities and persons operating in Cyprus

Dubai-based Haleel Commodities LLC, also known as Haleel Group, is a leading financial mediator for Al-Shabaab, which relies on the leaders of the Haleel Group as well as its branches and subsidiaries in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and Cyprus to generate and launder funds. Haleel Group subsidiaries in Cyprus include Haleel Finance LTD, Haleel Holdings, and Haleel LTD.

Farhan Hussein Hayder (Hayder) runs and manages the branches of Haleel Group in Kenya, Uganda, Cyprus, and the UAE and supports Al-Shabaab by generating funds for the group through these businesses.

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